October 14, 2005 Source: University of Manitoba: http://myuminfo.umanitoba.ca/index.asp?sec=209&too=100&dat=10/15/2005&sta=3&wee=3&eve=8&npa=9316 FINE "CRYSTAL" RESEARCHERS GATHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA Federal-funded program to get kids more interested in science and engineering. The Centre for Research in Youth, Science Teaching and Learning (CRYSTAL) Program at the University of Manitoba will hold their first annual meeting and open house on October 15 in the Education Building (room 326) at the University of Manitoba. "It’s the first chance for collaborators from the seven Canadian universities who are involved in the program to get together and foster interaction and collaboration," said Dr. Gordon Robinson, head investigator of the CRYSTAL program. In May 2005, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada (NSERC) awarded Robinson, and his multi-disciplinary team of 26 researchers, one of five $1 million CRYSTAL grants. "Science literacy and numeracy will be increasingly necessary skills in the workforces of the 21st century," said Robinson. "The Canadian CRYSTAL program is designed to provide a vehicle through which these foundational skills may be enhanced in young people so that increasing numbers will be interested in pursuing post-secondary education in science, engineering and mathematics." For a schedule of the CRYSTAL presentations throughout this weekend, go to their website at: www.umanitoba.ca/education For more information, please contact: Dr. Gordon Robinson at 204-474-9690 or ggrobin@cc.umanitoba.ca | 